Sleeved undergarment and methods of use and production thereof

ABSTRACT

Sleeved undergarments for covering an intended wearer&#39;s arms and at least part of the torso of the wearer include: a) a torso section comprising a relaxed, and in some embodiments—loose, undergarment material and b) at least one sleeve section, wherein the at least one sleeve section is designed to cover at least a portion of each shoulder and each arm of the wearer.

BACKGROUND

The apparel industry is based on innovation to not only meet the needs of consumers, but also to provide a path to new fashion not previously considered. One of the areas of innovation is developing clothing and accessories that help to stretch a wardrobe for a consumer. For example, Dickies were developed in order to allow the consumer to wear a sweater with multiple options, including the look of an oxford shirt or turtleneck under the sweater without spending the money on complete garments. Consumers can buy one suit or silk jacket and combine it with multiple shirts and blouses in order to not only create a number of “looks”, but also stretch a wardrobe. These options are especially important when consumers are trying to save money and stretch resources by extending the normal life of a collection of clothing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,339 issued to Thompson describes a ladies' sleeved undergarment that combines a bra with sleeves. It is designed to conceal perceived defects on the arms and upper body of the wearer, while at the same time providing breast support in one garment. Although this garment is a unique combination, it does have several disadvantages. First, many women may not want to combine a bra with another garment piece. Bras can be difficult to find with respect to fit, color and comfort. In addition, many women have several different bras depending on the look and garments worn, including push-up bras, padded bras, sports bras and “T-shirt” bras. While this particular garment combination may meet some needs of a consumer, it is likely that a consumer will not want to spend the money to purchase several of these garments—given the need for different colors and bra types. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,611, Thompson also discloses an under/outer garment that is designed to “fit snuggly” over a bra and on the body of the wearer, such that the under/outer garment provides sleeves for the wearer of a tank dress, tank top or other form fitting dress, while at the same time fitting the wearer's body very closely so as not to provide “bulkiness” under the clothing. While this particular patent solves some of the inherent problems of the '339 Thompson patent, it still requires that a woman wear a tight layer of clothing underneath an outer garment. This tight fit may result in unwanted perspiration and a lack of comfort in some conditions. Also, these garments are designed to fall right below the breast area and do not extend down toward the abdomen. This type of garment does not solve the problem for a woman who not only wants to add sleeves to an outer shirt but who also may want some of the undershirt to extend below the outer shirt.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,720 issued to Mayer discloses an under/outer shirt for women that has a short sleeve. The sleeve is designed to be short on the top of the shoulder and longer underneath the arm, such that the longer portion underneath the arm can be used to absorb perspiration. This shirt is designed to solve the problem of the sleeveless man's undershirt and the heavy fabric men's T-shirt, which in both cases is useless for women according to the patent. Therefore, the problem that this under/outer shirt is designed to solve is the unsuitability of the men's undershirt for women. There is no disclosure in this patent regarding providing versatility to a woman's wardrobe by adding sleeves to a garment that is otherwise sleeveless or has short sleeves.

Some garments, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,206 issued to Perry, are designed solely to provide support and control to a woman's upper body and arms. While this garment provides longer sleeves for the wearer, the sleeves are designed merely to provide control for flabby arms and are not designed to be exposed outside of a sleeveless garment.

Therefore, there is a need in the apparel industry for an under/outer garment that fulfills the following goals: a) is not combined with a bra or other support garment, such that the bra or other support garment is built-in to the final garment, b) can be utilized by women, men and children, c) is made from a material that is both fashionable and comfortable, d) does not act as a support garment on its own, and e) can extend the flexibility and wearability of many different types of sleeveless or short-sleeved garments. As it will be discussed herein, such a garment has been developed that meets all of these goals and improves on many of the concepts disclosed in earlier-referenced patents.

SUMMARY

Contemplated sleeved undergarments for covering an intended wearer's arms and at least part of the torso of the wearer include: a) a torso section comprising a relaxed, and in some embodiments—loose, undergarment material and b) at least one sleeve section, wherein the at least one sleeve section is designed to cover at least a portion of each shoulder and each arm of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a contemplated embodiment of a sleeved undergarment.

FIG. 2 shows a contemplated embodiment of a sleeved undergarment.

FIG. 3 shows a contemplated embodiment of a sleeved undergarment.

FIG. 4 shows a contemplated embodiment of a sleeved undergarment.

FIG. 5 shows another contemplated embodiment of a sleeved undergarment.

FIG. 6 shows another contemplated embodiment of a sleeved undergarment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As mentioned earlier, a sleeved undergarment has been developed that a) is not combined with a bra or other support garment, such that the bra or other support garment is built-in to the final garment, b) can be utilized by women, men and children, c) is made from a material that is both fashionable and comfortable, d) does not act as a support garment on its own, and e) can extend the flexibility and wearability of many different types of sleeveless or short-sleeved garments.

A contemplated sleeved undergarment comprises a torso section and a sleeve section, wherein both may comprise the same or a different fabric in both type and color. FIGS. 1-4 show contemplated embodiments of a sleeved undergarment. Contemplated undergarments are designed to be at least partially covered by a suitable garment, such as a shirt, a dress, a top, a vest or a combination thereof.

FIG. 1 shows a contemplated sleeved undergarment 100 that comprises a torso section 110 and a sleeve section 120. This embodiment also comprises bra strap holders that are not shown. In this embodiment, it is instructive to note that the neckline 175 is significantly lower than conventional necklines, especially since this undergarment is designed to easily fit under other garments without showing anything but the sleeves. In this Figure, a bra 190 is shown wherein the straps 197 are under the contemplated sleeved undergarment 100, such that they are not shown (and therefore represented as broken lines). The cups 195 are also partially shown and partially hidden in this embodiment, and therefore, a portion of the bra is shown in broken lines—or hidden from view. In some embodiments, the neckline falls at least in part at the breast area of the wearer. In other embodiments, the neckline falls at least in part lower than or below the breast area of the wearer.

A contemplated torso section may extend below the breast area in order to cover the wearer's stomach area, hip area and in some embodiments, upper leg/thigh area. A contemplated sleeve section is designed to provide sleeves for a garment that is otherwise sleeveless or has short sleeves. So, contemplated sleeves may extend any suitable length on the arm of the wearer.

FIG. 2 shows a contemplated sleeved undergarment 200 wherein the torso section 210 is extended 215 in order to cover the hips of the wearer (not shown). A contemplated sleeved undergarment 200 also includes a sleeve section 220, wherein the sleeves in this embodiment are not full length sleeves but are shorter in length. FIG. 2 also shows the significantly scooped neckline 275.

Contemplated sleeved undergarments may comprise any suitable material, as long as it is understood that suitable materials comprise those that are not bulky, unnecessarily thick or clingy and that are generally considered those fabrics suitable for use as undergarments. It is contemplated that some of these suitable fabrics will be breathable and comfortable for the wearer. Some contemplated fabrics include rayon, polyester, micropolyester, acetate, lycra, spandex and combinations thereof, such as those fabric blends that contain 5% spandex.

Contemplated sleeved undergarments may comprise any suitable color or combination of colors depending on the needs of the wearer, available fabric choices and available fashion choices. Contemplated colors include black, white, cream, pink, grey, red, purple, orange, salmon, yellow, green, blue, turquoise, brown, sage and lavender, for example. Also, fabrics may comprise any suitable pattern, texture or random design.

FIG. 3 shows a contemplated sleeved undergarment 300 that is turned inside-out comprises a torso section 310 and a sleeve section 320. This embodiment also comprises bra strap holders 330 that are designed to secure a bra strap or other support garment to the sleeved undergarment, such that the pieces do not move against one another. Contemplated sleeved undergarments additionally may comprise another coupling mechanism, so that a portion of the undergarment can couple with the sleeveless or short-sleeve garment being worn as the outerwear. For example, in some embodiments, a sleeved undergarment comprises VELCRO® fasteners on the shoulder area, so that the undergarment and outerwear can be securely coupled. These fastening elements are helpful to keep the undergarment and/or outer garment from moving around during wear. FIG. 3 also shows the significantly scooped neckline 375.

FIG. 4 shows a contemplated undergarment 400 under an outerwear sleeveless shirt 440. In this Figure, a contemplated sleeved undergarment 400 that comprises a torso section (not shown) and a sleeve section 420. This embodiment also comprises bra strap holders that are not shown. The dotted line 450 in this Figure shows the outline of the contemplated undergarment 400 under the sleeveless shirt 440.

In one contemplated embodiment, the sleeves may comprise a suitable outer wear material, such as cotton or polyester and the torso section may comprise a sheer or lighter material, such that the sleeve section and the torso section are different colors and materials.

In another contemplated embodiment, the torso section and the sleeve section may be designed such that the sleeves can be detached from the torso section and interchanged with other sleeves, such that the wearer only needs to purchase the different sleeve sections while utilizing only one torso section. These embodiments are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It should be understood, however, that the final wearable sleeved undergarment comprises a sleeve section. So, if the sleeves are detached and not worn as part of the sleeved undergarment, it is not contemplated as part of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a contemplated sleeved undergarment 500 comprising a torso section 510 and a sleeve section 520 that comprises a plurality of interchangeable sleeves. A detachment point 560 is shown where the sleeves are removed and changed with other sleeves (not shown). FIG. 6 shows a contemplated sleeved undergarment 600 comprising a torso section 610 and a sleeve section 620 that comprises a plurality of interchangeable sleeves. A detachment point 660 is shown where the sleeves are removed and changed with other sleeves (not shown).

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of sleeved undergarments and their methods of use and production have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. 

1. A sleeved undergarment for covering an intended wearer's arms and at least part of the torso of the wearer, comprising: a torso section comprising a relaxed undergarment material; and at least one sleeve section, wherein the at least one sleeve section is designed to cover at least a portion of each shoulder and each arm of the wearer.
 2. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the torso section extends in length below the breast area of the wearer.
 3. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the torso section covers at least part of the stomach area, the hip area, the upper leg/thigh area or a combination thereof of the wearer.
 4. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the torso section, the at least one sleeve section or a combination thereof comprises a loose undergarment material.
 5. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the torso section, the at least one sleeve section or a combination thereof comprises rayon, polyester, micropolyester, acetate, lycra, spandex and combinations thereof.
 6. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the torso section and the at least one sleeve section comprise different materials.
 7. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the torso section or the at least one sleeve section comprises a coupling element that couples a bra strap to the sleeved undergarment.
 8. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the at least one sleeve section is detachable from the torso section.
 9. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the at least one sleeve section is interchangeable with another sleeve section.
 10. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the torso section and the at least one sleeve section comprise a different color, a different texture, a different pattern or a combination thereof.
 11. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, wherein the torso section or the at least one sleeve section comprises a second coupling element that couples an outerwear garment to the sleeved undergarment.
 12. The sleeved undergarment of claim 1, further comprising a scoop neckline.
 13. The sleeved undergarment of claim 12, wherein the scoop neckline falls at least in part at the breast area of the wearer.
 14. The sleeved undergarment of claim 12, wherein the scoop neckline falls at least in part below the breast area of the wearer. 